Novant Health appoints Ryan Lee as Greenville, S.C., leader and files state application for new 20-bed hospital

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Novant Health is reinforcing its commitment to expanding high-quality healthcare in South Carolina with the appointment of Ryan Lee as president of Novant Health’s Greenville region. In his new role, Lee will lead Novant Health’s growth in the Upstate, ensuring that patients have access to advanced, patient-centered care.

 

Lee brings a strong track record of strategic leadership and healthcare innovation. He currently serves as president of Novant Health Coastal Carolina Medical Center in Hardeeville, where he spearheaded strategic, operational and clinical initiatives, leveraging leading-edge healthcare technology to enhance surgical services. Prior to that, Lee spent a decade in executive leadership roles with top healthcare organizations in Florida and Virginia.

 

As Clemson University graduates, Lee and his wife are eager to return to the Upstate.

 

“I’m incredibly excited to join Novant Health’s efforts to expand healthcare access in the Upstate and to be part of such a thriving, fast-growing community,” said Ryan Lee​. “This opportunity is especially meaningful to me, as it brings us closer to family and lifelong friends in the region. I look forward to working with our Greenville team to bring new, more affordable healthcare options to communities in the Upstate.”

 

“Ryan is a dynamic leader deeply committed to delivering a remarkable experience for our Greenville patients,” said Jason Bernd, senior vice president and president of the South Carolina Region for Novant Health. “His leadership will strengthen Novant Health’s presence in one of the fastest-growing communities in South Carolina and ensure we continue to provide the highest quality healthcare while expanding access to outpatient and specialty services.”

 

Alongside Lee’s appointment, Novant Health has officially filed a certificate of need application with the South Carolina Department of Public Health to build a new 20-bed outpatient-focused hospital in Greenville. This hospital will be the first step in a broader expansion plan to create a healthier future in the Upstate, rooted in Novant Health’s community-based, innovative healthcare model.

 

Pending regulatory approval, the planned facility will open in early 2027 and feature state-of-the-art operating rooms, diagnostic imaging and services all tailored to meet the growing demand for outpatient and specialty care in Greenville and surrounding communities. The project aligns with Novant Health’s commitment to improve access and bringing high-quality, affordable care close to home.

 

This investment marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to the Upstate region, with additional projects and services expected to follow. Novant Health looks forward to working with local leaders and healthcare providers to create a stronger, more accessible healthcare network for the entire community.

 

 

This expansion builds upon Novant Health’s strategic growth in South Carolina, following its February 2024 acquisition of East Cooper Medical Center in Charleston, Hilton Head Medical Center on Hilton Head Island, Coastal Carolina Medical Center in Hardeeville and 27 associated physician clinics. Investments in these facilities are already underway, including operating room upgrades and emergency department expansions. Novant Health also expanded its care network with the acquisition of 52 Doctors Care and 20 Progressive Physical Therapy clinics.

 

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